Method for washing and chilling eviscerated fowl

ABSTRACT

A process for washing and cooling fowl for human consumption includes conveying the fowl through a plurality of processing zones. After evisceration, the fowl are conveyed to a first zone where they are internally washed and externally washed. The fowl are then conveyed through a second zone where they are prechilled. Thereafter, the fowl are transferred from a first conveyor system to a second conveyor system, the latter including shackles which can suspend a plurality of fowl from a single truck on a conveyor. The fowl are then conveyed on the multiple fowl shackle through a third zone in which they are cooled by contact with a chilled liquid spray and by contact with a cold gas stream. In the third zone the fowl are conveyed through a multi-path arrangement in a plurality of subzones. Except for the entry and exit points from one subzone to another, the subzones are divided by walls. The chilled liquid and the cold gas are directed in a predetermined pattern through the plurality of subzones. When the fowl are removed from the third zone, they are transferred to another processing line for packaging or the like.

United States Patent 91 Dillon METHOD FOR WASHING AND CHILLINGEVISCERATED F OWL [75] Inventor: Janus J. Dillon, Irving, Tex.

73 "Assi'ghe: FIETCIBBEQTJC 22 Filed: No'v.26,1'911 [21] Appl.No.:202,202

Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock AttorneyRichards, Harris & Hubbard [5 7]ABSTRACT A process for washing and cooling fowl for human TRANSFER ALCHILL SPRAY [451 May 1, 1973 consumption includes conveying the fowlthrough a plurality of processing zones. After evisceration, the fowlare conveyed to a first zone where they are internally washed andexternally washed. The fowl are then conveyed through a second zonewhere they are prechilled. Thereafter, the fowl are transferred from afirst conveyor system to a second conveyor system, the latter includingshackles which can suspend a plurality of fowl from a single truck on aconveyor. The fowl are then conveyed on the multiple fowl shacklethrough a third zone in which they are cooled by contact with a chilledliquid spray and by contact with a cold gas stream. In the third zonethe fowl are conveyed through a multi-path arrangement in a plurality ofsubzones. Except for the entry and exit points from one subzone toanother, the subzones are divided by walls. The chilled liquid and thecold gas are directed in a predetermined pattern through the pluralityof subzones. When the fowl are removed from the third zone, they aretransferred to another processing line for packaging or the like.

34 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 4 FROM EVISCERATION Patented May 1, 1973 .5Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

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FIG. 4

Patented May 1, 1973 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 METHOD FOR WASHING AND CHILLINGEVISCERATED FOWL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to the processing of fowl and more particularly to the washingand chilling of eviscerated fowl prior to packaging.

A common processing technique for chilling eviscerated fowl prior topackaging is to dip the fowl in a common tank containing chilled water.Normally, the fowl are attached to shackles on a conveying system whichimmerses the fowl in an elongate tank filled with a chilled liquid orare dropped into the tank and conveyed to an exit point by any ofvarious internal conveying methods such as a drag conveyor, belt, ribbonconveyor, or the like. The same chilled liquid is used to chill a largenumber of fowl. This technique has a number of drawbacks. Among them isbacterial crosscontamination which can be initiated when a contaminatedfowl is passed through the chill tank. Fowl subsequently immersed in thechill tank can be affected by bacteria removed from the contaminatedfowl as it is passed through the chill tank. Consequently, the chilledliquid in the common chill tank must be changed frequently in an attemptto eliminate the possibility of such cross-contamination. The constantreplacement of the chilled liquid requires great amounts of the liquid,resulting in large expenditures on cooling equipment and power. Inaddition, the common chill tanks are somewhat inefficient since theratio of the volume of chilled liquid to contact area of fowl is quitehigh.

Washing is customarily done by fixed spray fixtures such as conventionalshower heads or spray tips. This type of fixture is inefficient as theyapply the cleaning fluid to one point only. Therefore, many differentspray fixtures are necessary to provide complete coverage. I

The use of liquid sprays and of a cold gas such as air for chilling fowlhas heretofore been impractical because of the large volume ofprocessing equipment necessary when utilizing these techniques. Thepresent invention provides an economical technique by which cold gas andcold liquid contact is utilized to chill fowl, while overcoming thedrawbacks of the fixed spray wash and common chill tank. The presentinvention reduces the possibilityof cross-contamination among fowl beingwashed and chilled. In addition, the present invention providesconservation of the liquids and gases utilized in the chill and washoperations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a method of processing eviscerated fowl,prior to packaging wherein the fowl are suspended from shackles on aconveying system, the present invention provides an improved methodcomprising conveying the fowl through a first washing zone, spraying thefowl with a washing fluid in the first zone to clean and flush theinternal portions of the fowl, spraying the fowl with a wash fluid inthe first zone to clean and flush the external portions of the fowl, andconveying the fowl to another processing zone wherein the fowl issprayed with a chilled fluid. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the fowl are suspended in multiples from a single suspensionpoint on the conveying system and are simultaneously contacted with aspray of chilled liquid and a stream of colled gas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the presentinvention will be acquired by reading the ensuing specification inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a pictorial view of the washing and chilling process zones inaccord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged, cross sectional view in detail of FIG. 1taken along section line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the process zones similar to that of FIG.1 showing the liquid chill spray and washing systems as integrated withthe process zones;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged plan view in detail of a portion of one ofthe process zones of FIG. 3 outlined in dotted lines;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along section line 55;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial plan view of the washing and chilling zonessimilar to that of FIG. 1 showing the liquid collection system in accordwith the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a pictorial plan view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing thecold gas conduit system and gas flow directions as integrated into theprocess zones of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, processlines for internally and externally washing fowl and for chilling fowlprior to packaging are pictorially represented. When fowl, such aschickens, are processed for human consumption, their feathers are firstremoved. Thereafter, the chickens are eviscerated. These procedures aregenerally conducted while the chickens are suspended from shackles on aconveyor system. Such a conveyor is represented by the line 10 in FIG.1.

After evisceration, the chickens, each of which are pictoriallyrepresented as a small circle 12 on conveyor 10, are internally andexternally washed. The chickens 12 are conveyed through housing 14containing spray equipment for internally washing the abdominal areas ofthe chickens l2. Thereafter, the chickens are conveyed in the directionof arrow 16 into second housing 18 in which the chickens 12 areexternally washed. Housing 18 encloses liquid spray equipment foreffecting the external washing process.

Thereafter, the chickens 12 are conveyed into a third housing 20,containing additional liquid spray equipment. Within housing 20 thechickens 12 are prechilled by contact with a cold liquid spray such as achilled water spray. The chickens are then conveyed out of housing 20 toa transfer point 22. At the transfer point 22 the chickens are removedfrom the conveyor 10 and transferred to a second conveyor system,generally designated byline 24.

After the chickens 12 are removed from the conveyor 10, the latterreturns in the direction of arrow 28 to the processing area (not shown)in which the chickens are eviscerated. There, freshly slaughteredpreferred embodiment, each of the conveyor trucks carries a shackleassembly capable of suspending eight chickens in a processing position.The shackle assemblies, explained in greater detail later, are generallyrepresented by cross bars 26 on the conveying line 24. As can be seen,eight chickens 12 are suspended from each of the shackle assemblies 26.

Conveyor 24 carries the chickens 12 on shackle assemblies 26 into alarge housing 30 wherein the chickens are contacted with a chilledliquid spray and a cold gas stream. Housing 30 is divided into severalsubzones. In the first subzone 32, the chickens are contacted only witha chilled liquid spray. Thereafter, the conveyor 24 travels throughseveral similar subzones 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, S2 and 54,in a reversing path. In each of the subzones 34 through 54, the chickensare contacted with both a chilled liquid spray and a cold stream. Theconveyor 24 transfers the chickens from subzone 54 to a final subzone 56wherein the chickens are contacted only with a chilled liquid spray. Thechickens then pass from the housing 30 to a transfer point 58 where thechickens are removed from the shackle assemblies 26. From transfer point58, the chickens are carried by suitable conveyance means to the nextprocessing point, usually packaging. The conveyor 24 then returns withempty shackle assembles 26 to transfer point 22 to again receivechickens 12 from conveyor 10.

As can be seen, chickens 12 are pictorially represented by small circleson shackle assemblies 26 as they enter initial chill spray zone 32, passthrough subzone 34 and into subzone 36. It is to be understood that thesubzones 36 through 54 likewise house the conveyor 24 and shackleassemblies 26 loaded with chickens 12. For purposes of simplicity, thechickens 12 and the conveyor system 24 are represented by a central lineand the pair of dot dash lines traversing subzones 36 through 54. Thepictorial representation of the chickens 12 is resumed as the conveyor24 leaves subzone 54, passes through a final chill spray zone 56, out ofhousing 30, and to the transfer point 58.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 2, a greatly enlarged, detailed,cross sectional view of subzone 34 containing conveyor 24 and shackleassemblies 26. Wall 60, floor 62, interior wall 64 and roof 66 combineto form an enclosure for subzone 34 and also form a part of housing 30.As can be seen, the entire housing 30 is situated on suitable foundationsupports 68 so that it rests above the ground. The floor 62 is slopedfrom the ends of subzone 34 towardthe center of subzone 34 where a drainleading into outlet conduit 67 is situated.

A conveyor rail 70 is attached to the ceiling 66 by conventionalfastening means. A conveyor truck 72 is is movably situated on rail 70by means of wheels 74. A multiple fowl shackle assembly, generallydesignated 26, is affixed to the conveyor truck 72. The shackle assembly26 carries eight single fowl shackles 78. Chickens 12 are suspended fromthe shackles. Four of the shackles 78 are situated on each side of theshackle assembly 26. Also situated within the subzone 34 are liquidspray pipes 118 and air ducts 82. The purpose and operation of thesewill be described in greater detail in a later portion of thespecification.

The shackle assembly 26 can be designed in accord with the disclosure ina copending application entitled Multiple Fowl Shackle, No. 181,840,filed Sept. 20, 1971, so they are capable'of automatically releasing anddropping the chickens 12 at a predetermined point along the conveyorline. In accord with the present invention, the shackle assembly 26 isdesigned to drop the chickens 12 at the transfer point 58. The chickens12 held by shackle assemblies are sprayed with a chilled liquid withinhousing 30.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of the chilled liquid spray system.FIG. 3 omits the representation of chickens 12 on the conveyor 24, butincludes the chilled liquid spray system. With respect to the chilledliquid spray system, a suitable liquid such as water is obtained from asource (not shown) connected to conduit 84. The water is chilled in heatexchanger 86. Heat exchanger 86, the evaporator of a refrigerationsystem, is supplied with a suitable pressurized and cooled refrigerantfor cooling the water. The outlet of a refrigeration system condenser(not shown in this FIGURE) is connected to conduit 88 which in turn hasinterposed therein expansion valve 90. From expansion valve 90, therefrigerant travels to the heat exchanger 86 where it is placed in heattransfer relationship with the water passing through the heat exchanger86. Expanded and heated refrigerant travels from the heat exchanger 86through conduit 92 to a suitable compressor 94 where it is compressedand returned along conduit 96 to the condenser.

The chilled water exits from the heat exchanger 86 into conduit 98 whereit passes through a pump 100. Pump 100 supplies conduits 102, 104, and106 with chilled water. Conduits 102 and 104 are in turn connected to aheader 108 which feeds supply conduits 110. Each of the supply conduits110 feeds a plurality of spray nozzles 112 situated above the conveyor24 in each of the subzones 34 through 54. Each of the spray nozzles l 12directs a spray of chilled water downwardly onto the chickens held inshackle assemblies 26.

In addition to the spray nozzles 112, a plurality of horizontallyoscillating spray bars 114 are provided at each of the junctures betweensubzones 34 through 54. The oscillating spray bars 114 direct a waterspray at the shackle assemblies 26 to assure that all the chickenscarried thereby are adequately contacted with chilled water. Theoverhead spray nozzle 112 and oscillating spray bars 114 are bettershown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view in partialcross section of the portion of the juncture of subzones 34 and 36surrounded by dotted lines 116. For purposes of simplicity, the chickenshave been omitted in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional viewof FIG. 4 taken along section line 55. It will be noted that FIG. 2 isalso an enlarged cross sectional view of the subzone 34 as shown in FIG.4.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the housing 30 is shown forming anoutside wall 60 for subzone 34. An interior wall 64 is also provided.The supply conduit 110 connects to a plurality of spray pipes 118 havingspray nozzles 112 situated at the ends thereof. The spray pipes 1 18 arearranged in alternating lengths in a preferred embodiment to assureadequate liquid coverage of chickens 12 on alternating sides of theconveyor 24. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, supply conduit 110 is alsoconnected through a rotatable fluid coupling 1 19 to oscillating spraybar 1 14. The spray bar 114 has a plurality of spray nozzles 120situated to direct a spray outwardly in a horizontal direction towardchickens being carried on shackle assemblies 26. The spray bar 114 isoscillated about its vertical axis by means of an arm 122 connected tothe bottom of the bar 114. An actuating arm 124 is connected tooscillating arm 122. Actuating arm 124 is attached at its other end toan eccentric pivot on a wheel 126 driven by a suitable motor 128. Aswheel 126 rotates, the arm 124 is reciprocated to move oscillating arm122 back and forth, which in turn oscillates spray bar 1 l4. Oscillationof spray bar 1 14 is directed through an arc to provide full coverage ofchickens being carried on the shackle assemblies 26 as they round thecorner of conveyor 24 from subzone 34 to subzone 36. The remainder ofthe oscillating spray bars 1 14 at junctures of subzones 34 through 54operate in a similar manner.

Subzones 3 2 and 5 6 (FIG. 3) are al so supplied with chilled water viaconduit 106. In the initial chill subzone 32, conduit 106 supplies twooscillating horizontal spray bars 130 having a plurality of nozzlesthereon. These nozzles direct a water spray toward shackle assemblies 26to provide an initial chilling of chickens carried on shackle assemblies26. Sufficient volume is pumped through the nozzles connected to spraybars 130 to provide a suitable liquid curtain. The curtain helps toprevent a substantial ingress of ambient air into or egress of cold airfrom the inlet to housing 30. In a similar manner, conduit 106 feeds twohorizontal spray bars 132 situated along the sides of final chillsubzones 56. Likewise, a sufficient volume of chilled water is pumpedfrom the nozzles on oscillating horizontal spray bars 132 to form asuitable liquid curtain at the outlet from housing 30. Spray bars 130and 132 are oscillated in a manner similar to that shown in connectionwith the vertical oscillating spray bars 114. An eccentric wheel drive(not shown) can be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the chilled water collection system is shown inconnection with a pictorial representation of the process line. Each ofthe subzones 32 through 56 contains a drain 134. The floor of each ofthe subzones 32 through 56 are so arranged to slope toward the centerthereof where drains 134 are situated. The chilled liquid sprayed fromnozzles 1 12 is collected by drains 134 and routed through drain pipes136, 138 and 140. The chilled water thus collected is routed viaconduits 136, 138 and 140 to the inlet of a pump 142.

Referring back to FIG. 3, pump 142 pumps the chilled liquid thuscollected from housing 30 through a filter 144. The filter 144 removesparticulate matter from the used chilled' water. Another pump 146receives the water from filter 144 and pumps it into conduit 148.Conduit 148 feeds prechill spray bars 150 oscillating within the housing20. The spray bars 150 are also oscillated in a manner similar tooscillating spray bars 114, i.e., with an eccentric wheel (not shown)driven by an electric motor. The water thus sprayed on the chickenscarried by conveyor is still sufficiently cold to prechill the chickensprior to transfer to conveyor 24. Since the unit volume of water perchicken sprayed in housing 20 is much higher than the water volume tochicken ratio existing in housing 30, substantial pre-chilling of thechickens can be accomplished in prechill housing 20.

The water sprayed from headers is collected in a drain 152 (P16. 6) atthe center of the floor of housing 20. It is to be understood that thefloor of housing 20 slopes toward the drain 152. The water collected bydrain 152 is pumped via pump 154 into conduit 158 where it passesthrough a refrigeration system condenser 160. This is the same condenserreferred to in connection with the refrigeration system of FIG. 3. Thus,the refrigerant from compressor 94 (FIG. 3) is condensed and transmittedvia refrigerant conduit 88 to the heat exchanger 86. The spent waterpumped into condenser 160 (FIG. 6) is heated by the hot compressedrefrigerant passing through refrigerant conduits 88 and 96. The waterthus heated passes from condenser 160 into conduit 162 where it isthereafter emptied into a scald tank (not shown). As will be noted, thechickens are scalded prior to evisceration to aid feather removal.

Thus the water initially chilled in evaporator 86 (FIG. 3) has heatadded thereto as it is sprayed on the chickens within the housing 34 andsubzones 32 through 56. Additional heat is added in the prechill spraywithin housing 20. The water is then heated to a high temperature inheat exchanger 160 and used to scald the chickens. Using this method ofthe present invention, the chilled water has been effectively reused indifferent process zones. Additionally, the energy has been conserved byinterconnecting the water refrigeration system at both ends of theprocessing line.

Still referring to FIG. 3, wash water is supplied to housings 14 and 18from a source (not shown) via pump 166. The wash water is pumped throughconduit 168 to a first set of spray headers 170 within housing 14.Conduit 168 also supplies a second set of headers 172 within housing 18.The spray headers 170 and 172 are constructed using techniques, forexample, as shown in the copending application Internal Fowl WashingDevice, Ser. No. 177,221, filed Sept. 2, l97l, to effect an internal andexternal wash of chickens being conveyed through housings 14 and 18 byconveyor 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the internal and external wash water is collected ina drain 174 at the inlet end of housing 14. The floors of housing 18 and14 both slope toward drain 174. The wash water thus collected is pumpedvia pump 176 to the processing zone where the chickens are eviscerated.Fresh water is thus continuously used to internally and externally washthe chickens. The wash water is not discarded, but is conserved byutilizing it in the evisceration process. After use in conjunction withevisceration, the water can be discarded.

In addition to the cold water spray provided within the housing 30,gaseous cooling means are also provided. Referring to FIG. 7, a gas,such as air, is drawn through an evaporative heat exchanger 178 by ablower 180. The heat exchanger 178 is supplied with a chilledrefrigerant through conduits 182 connected to a suitable refrigerationsystem (not shown). The outlet of the blower is connected to duct 184which in turn supplies two header ducts 186 and 188. Registers 1910 influid communication with the header ducts 186 and 188 are situated ateach end of the subzones 34 through 54. Cold air enters each of thesubzones 34 through 54 and through registers W0, traveling in thedirection of the arrows. Chickens carried by shackle assemblies arecontacted by the cold air streams in the respective subzones 34 through54. The cold air thus facilitates chilling of the chickens as they passthrough the sub zones.

An exhaust system is provided for the chilled air via intake duct 192which is in turn connected to intake duct 194. lntake registers 196 aresituated in each of the subzones 34 through 54. These registers 196,communicating with the intake ducts 192 and 194, draw the air from thecenter of the subzones and recirculate it via blower 198 to the heatexchanger 178 where the air is recooled and again recirculated throughsubzones 34 through 54. Makeup air can be supplied when necessarythrough air valve l 98 connected to duct 194.

The air flow within subzones 34 through 54 is designed such that flowoccurs from the ends of the subzones toward the centers of the subzones.Thus the housing 30 is protected from a substantial amount of ambientair ingress and is also provided with means for preventing egress ofcold air circulating within the subzones. 1

The cold air streams in conjunction with chilled liquid sprays,described above, provide an efficient, economical, sanitary method forchilling chickens or other fowl during processing. The method of thepresent invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art techniquesenumerated above. Other advantages will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the fowl processing art. Although a preferred embodiment hasbeen described herein, it is intended that the invention as a whole belimited only by the definition contained in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

17 In a method of processing eviscerated fowl prior to packaging whereinthe fowl are suspended from shackles on a conveying system, the improvedmethod comprising:

conveying-the fowl through a first washing zone,

spraying .the fowl with a washing fluid in the first zone to clean andflush the internal portions of the fowl, spraying the fowl with awashing fluid in the first zone to clean and flush the external portionsof the fowl,

conveying the fowl to a second zone for further processing,

spraying the fowl in the second zone with a chilled 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

conveying the fowl to a third zone,

spraying the fowl in the third zone with a chilled 3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein the temperature of the chilled fluid in the third zoneis lower than the temperature of the chilled fluid in the second zone.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising passing a stream of cold gasover said fowl in the third zone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the third zone comprises a plurality ofsubzones through which the fowl are conveyed in a reversing looppattern, the method further comprising:

injecting the stream of cold gas at the ends of the subzones andexhausting the air between the ends of the subzones.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

collecting the chilled fluid sprayed on the fowl in the third zone toform a first stream of said fluid,

spraying the fowl in the second zone with fluid from said first streamof fluid.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

collecting the chilled fluid sprayed on the fowl in the second zone toform a second stream of said fluid,

heating the fluid in said second stream,

forwarding the heated fluid to a fourth zone for use in initial scaldingof the fowl.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

cooling said fluids supplied to the third zone by placing said fluid inheat transfer relationship with an evaporating refrigerant which iscompressed, condensed and evaporated in a closed refrigeration cycle.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

heating said second stream of fluid by condensing said refrigerant inheat transfer relationship with said second stream.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of conveying from the secondzone to the third zone includes:

transferring fowl from a conveyor having shackles carrying no more thantwo fowl to a conveyor having shackles carrying more than two fowl.

11. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

collecting said chilled gas after passing it over said fowl in saidthird zone and recirculating said gas through the third zone.

12. The method of claim 1 1 further comprising:

chilling said gas before it is recirculated through said third zone.

13. A method for cooling fowl during processing comprising:

conveying fowl along a preselected path through an enclosed, multiplepath, cooling zone,

spraying chilled liquid on the fowl in the cooling zone,

contacting the fowl with a stream of cooled gas in the cooling zone.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

collecting said gas after contacting the fowl therewith,

recooling the collected gas,

forming at least a part of said stream of cooled gas with the recooledgas.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

spraying said fowl with a mist of said chilled liquid.

from a position above the path in which fowl are conveyed.

16, The method of claim 15 wherein said path reverses direction aplurality of times to form said multiple path cooling zone, the methodfurther comprising:

spraying said fowl from the side in the region in which the pathreverses.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein a plurality of fowl at each of aplurality of spaced positions are conveyed along said path.

18. A method for cooling fowl during processing spraying a chilledliquid on the fowl as it is conveyed through the cooling zone.

20. A system for processing fowl comprising:

first conveyor means for transporting fowl along a preselected path,

a washing station positioned along the path of said first conveyor meansincluding fluid spray means for cleaning said fowl,

a prechill station positioned along the path of said first conveyormeans including dispensing means for spraying a chilled fluid on saidfowl as they pass through said prechill station.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said washing station furthercomprises:

fluid spray means for internally washing said fowl,

fluid spray means for externally washing said fowl.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein said first conveyor means carries aplurality of shackles for suspending fowl in a processing position.

23. The system of claim 20 further comprising:

a transfer station positioned downstream from said prechill stationalong the path of said first conveyor means. i

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising:

second conveyor means for transporting fowl along a preselected path,

said conveyor means including a plurality of shackle carrying members,each of said members being capable of suspending more than one fowl in aprocessing position.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising:

a transfer station positioned along the path of said second conveyormeans at which station fowl are placed on said shackle carrying members.

26. The system of claim 24 further comprising:

spray means positioned along the path of said second conveyor means forspraying a chilled fluid on said fowl being conveyed by said secondconveyor means,

means for supplying said spray means with a chilled fluid.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising:

housing means for enclosing a major portion of said second conveyormeans and said spray means.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising:

delivery conduit means for introducing a chilled gas into said housingmeans,

return conduit means for exhausting said chilled gas after contactingsaid fowl suspended from said second conveyor means,

blower means for moving said chilled gas through said delivery conduitmeans,

refrigeration means for chilling said gas delivered to said deliveryconduit means.

29. The system of claim 27 further comprising:

fluid collection means positioned along the path of said second conveyormeans for receiving spent chilled fluid after being sprayed from saidspray means.

30. The system of claim 29 further comprising:

fluid conduit means for delivering spent chilled fluid from said fluidcollection means to said fluid dispensing means at said prechillstation,

pump means for moving said spent chilled fluid in said fluid conduitmeans.

31. The system of claim 20 further comprising; fluid collection means insaid prechill station including conduit means for collecting spentchilled fluid from said prechill station and delivering said spentchilled fluid to a scald station upstream of said washing station.

32. The system of claim 20 further comprising:

fluid collection means in said washing station including conduit meansfor collecting spent washing fluid from said washing station anddelivering it to an evisceration station upstream of said washingstation. 33. The system of claim 26 further comprising: refrigerationmeans for chilling said chilled fluid including a compressor, evaporatorand condenser, conduit means for feeding said spray means with a chilledfluid, said evaporator in heat transfer relationship with said conduitmeans.

34. The system of claim 33 further comprising:

fluid collection means in said prechill station including conduit meansfor collecting spent chilled fluid from said prechill station anddelivering said spent chilled fluid to a scald station upstream of saidwashing station,

said condenser in heat transfer relationship with said conduit meansdelivering said fluid to said scald station.

1. In a method of processing eviscerated fowl prior to packaging whereinthe fowl are suspended from shackles on a conveying system, the improvedmethod comprising: conveying the fowl through a first washing zone,spraying the fowl with a washing fluid in the first zone to clean andflush the internal portions of the fowl, spraying the fowl with awashing fluid in the first zone to clean and flush the external portionsof the fowl, conveying the fowl to a second zone for further processing,spraying the fowl in the second zone with a chilled fluid.
 2. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: conveying the fowL to a third zone,spraying the fowl in the third zone with a chilled fluid.
 3. The methodof claim 2 wherein the temperature of the chilled fluid in the thirdzone is lower than the temperature of the chilled fluid in the secondzone.
 4. The method of claim 2 further comprising: passing a stream ofcold gas over said fowl in the third zone.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein the third zone comprises a plurality of subzones through whichthe fowl are conveyed in a reversing loop pattern, the method furthercomprising: injecting the stream of cold gas at the ends of the subzonesand exhausting the air between the ends of the subzones.
 6. The methodof claim 2 further comprising: collecting the chilled fluid sprayed onthe fowl in the third zone to form a first stream of said fluid,spraying the fowl in the second zone with fluid from said first streamof fluid.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: collecting thechilled fluid sprayed on the fowl in the second zone to form a secondstream of said fluid, heating the fluid in said second stream,forwarding the heated fluid to a fourth zone for use in initial scaldingof the fowl.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: cooling saidfluids supplied to the third zone by placing said fluid in heat transferrelationship with an evaporating refrigerant which is compressed,condensed and evaporated in a closed refrigeration cycle.
 9. The methodof claim 8 further comprising: heating said second stream of fluid bycondensing said refrigerant in heat transfer relationship with saidsecond stream.
 10. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of conveyingfrom the second zone to the third zone includes: transferring fowl froma conveyor having shackles carrying no more than two fowl to a conveyorhaving shackles carrying more than two fowl.
 11. The method of claim 2further comprising: collecting said chilled gas after passing it oversaid fowl in said third zone and recirculating said gas through thethird zone.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: chilling saidgas before it is recirculated through said third zone.
 13. A method forcooling fowl during processing comprising: conveying fowl along apreselected path through an enclosed, multiple path, cooling zone,spraying chilled liquid on the fowl in the cooling zone, contacting thefowl with a stream of cooled gas in the cooling zone.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising: collecting said gas after contacting thefowl therewith, recooling the collected gas, forming at least a part ofsaid stream of cooled gas with the recooled gas.
 15. The method of claim13 further comprising: spraying said fowl with a mist of said chilledliquid from a position above the path in which fowl are conveyed. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein said path reverses direction a pluralityof times to form said multiple path cooling zone, the method furthercomprising: spraying said fowl from the side in the region in which thepath reverses.
 17. The method of claim 13 wherein a plurality of fowl ateach of a plurality of spaced positions are conveyed along said path.18. A method for cooling fowl during processing comprising: conveying aplurality of fowl at each of a plurality of spaced positions along apreselected path through an enclosed cooling zone, introducing a streamof cooled gas into said cooling zone to contact said fowl therewith,withdrawing said gas after it contacts said fowl.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 further comprising: spraying a chilled liquid on the fowl as itis conveyed through the cooling zone.
 20. A system for processing fowlcomprising: first conveyor means for transporting fowl along apreselected path, a washing station positioned along the path of saidfirst conveyor means including fluid spray means for cleaning said fowl,a prechill station pOsitioned along the path of said first conveyormeans including dispensing means for spraying a chilled fluid on saidfowl as they pass through said prechill station.
 21. The system of claim20 wherein said washing station further comprises: fluid spray means forinternally washing said fowl, fluid spray means for externally washingsaid fowl.
 22. The system of claim 20 wherein said first conveyor meanscarries a plurality of shackles for suspending fowl in a processingposition.
 23. The system of claim 20 further comprising: a transferstation positioned downstream from said prechill station along the pathof said first conveyor means.
 24. The system of claim 23 furthercomprising: second conveyor means for transporting fowl along apreselected path, said conveyor means including a plurality of shacklecarrying members, each of said members being capable of suspending morethan one fowl in a processing position.
 25. The system of claim 24further comprising: a transfer station positioned along the path of saidsecond conveyor means at which station fowl are placed on said shacklecarrying members.
 26. The system of claim 24 further comprising: spraymeans positioned along the path of said second conveyor means forspraying a chilled fluid on said fowl being conveyed by said secondconveyor means, means for supplying said spray means with a chilledfluid.
 27. The system of claim 26 further comprising: housing means forenclosing a major portion of said second conveyor means and said spraymeans.
 28. The system of claim 27 further comprising: delivery conduitmeans for introducing a chilled gas into said housing means, returnconduit means for exhausting said chilled gas after contacting said fowlsuspended from said second conveyor means, blower means for moving saidchilled gas through said delivery conduit means, refrigeration means forchilling said gas delivered to said delivery conduit means.
 29. Thesystem of claim 27 further comprising: fluid collection means positionedalong the path of said second conveyor means for receiving spent chilledfluid after being sprayed from said spray means.
 30. The system of claim29 further comprising: fluid conduit means for delivering spent chilledfluid from said fluid collection means to said fluid dispensing means atsaid prechill station, pump means for moving said spent chilled fluid insaid fluid conduit means.
 31. The system of claim 20 further comprising:fluid collection means in said prechill station including conduit meansfor collecting spent chilled fluid from said prechill station anddelivering said spent chilled fluid to a scald station upstream of saidwashing station.
 32. The system of claim 20 further comprising: fluidcollection means in said washing station including conduit means forcollecting spent washing fluid from said washing station and deliveringit to an evisceration station upstream of said washing station.
 33. Thesystem of claim 26 further comprising: refrigeration means for chillingsaid chilled fluid including a compressor, evaporator and condensor,conduit means for feeding said spray means with a chilled fluid, saidevaporator in heat transfer relationship with said conduit means. 34.The system of claim 33 further comprising: fluid collection means insaid prechill station including conduit means for collecting spentchilled fluid from said prechill station and delivering said spentchilled fluid to a scald station upstream of said washing station, saidcondenser in heat transfer relationship with said conduit meansdelivering said fluid to said scald station.